Over 40,000 Federal Inmates Could Be Released Early From Prison

WASHINGTON—More than 40,000 inmates could eventually be released early from federal prison after a panel voted to recommend that judges retroactively reduce sentences for nonviolent drug offenders.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission voted unanimously Friday to retroactively apply a change it made in sentencing rules earlier this year, making felons already serving time eligible for early release. The move comes amid a broader push by the...